Residual-current circuit breaker

Abstract

A residual-current circuit breaker includes at least one summation current transformer through which a first lead and a second lead of a network to be protected are guided. At least one secondary winding is arranged on the summation current transformer and operatively connected, at least indirectly, with an energy storage element. A trip element is operatively connected with break contacts in the first and second leads. In order to reduce expected cut-offs of a network to be protected, an electric signaling device is operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the energy storage element.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: 
     
       1. A residual-current circuit breaker, comprising:
 a summation current transformer through which a first lead and a second lead of a network to be protected are guided; 
 a secondary winding arranged on the summation current transformer; 
 an energy storage element operatively connected, at least indirectly, to the secondary winding; 
 a trip element operatively connected with break contacts in the first and second leads; 
 an electric signaling device operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the energy storage element; and 
 an amplifier circuit having an amplifier input connected to the energy storage element and an amplifier output operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the electric signaling device. 
 
     
     
       2. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the electric signaling device is an optical unit. 
     
     
       3. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the optical unit is a luminous element. 
     
     
       4. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 3 , wherein the luminous element includes a LED. 
     
     
       5. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the amplifier circuit is interconnected with the first and second leads. 
     
     
       6. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 1 , further comprising a threshold circuit having a threshold switching input interconnected with the amplifier output, and a threshold switching output interconnected with the electric signaling device. 
     
     
       7. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the amplifier circuit is interconnected with a network-independent energy supply unit. 
     
     
       8. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 7 , wherein the network-independent energy supply unit is a battery. 
     
     
       9. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage element is constructed in the form of a capacitor. 
     
     
       10. A residual-current circuit breaker, comprising:
 a summation current transformer through which a first lead and a second lead of a network to be protected are guided; 
 a secondary winding arranged on the summation current transformer; 
 an energy storage element operatively connected, at least indirectly, to the secondary winding; 
 a trip element operatively connected with break contacts in the first and second leads; 
 an electric signaling device operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the energy storage element; and 
 a rectifier circuit constructed for connection to the secondary winding and for interconnection with the energy storage element. 
 
     
     
       11. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 10 , wherein the electric signaling device is an optical unit. 
     
     
       12. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 10 , wherein the optical unit is a luminous element. 
     
     
       13. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 12 , wherein the luminous element includes a LED. 
     
     
       14. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 10 , wherein the energy storage element is constructed in the form of a capacitor. 
     
     
       15. A residual-current circuit breaker, comprising:
 a summation current transformer through which a first lead and a second lead of a network to be protected are guided; 
 a secondary winding arranged on the summation current transformer; 
 an energy storage element operatively connected, at least indirectly, to the secondary winding; 
 a trip element operatively connected with break contacts in the first and second leads; 
 an electric signaling device operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the energy storage element; and 
 a discharging resistor switched parallel to the energy storage element. 
 
     
     
       16. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 15 , wherein the electric signaling device is an optical unit. 
     
     
       17. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 15 , wherein the optical unit is a luminous element. 
     
     
       18. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 17 , wherein the luminous element includes a LED. 
     
     
       19. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 15 , wherein the energy storage element is constructed in the form of a capacitor. 
     
     
       20. A residual-current circuit breaker, comprising:
 a summation current transformer through which a first lead and a second lead of a network to be protected are guided; 
 a secondary winding arranged on the summation current transformer; 
 an enemy storage element operatively connected, at least indirectly, to the secondary winding; 
 a trip element operatively connected with break contacts in the first and second leads; and 
 an electric signaling device operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the enemy storage element, 
 wherein the energy storage element is operatively connected with the trip element via a further threshold circuit. 
 
     
     
       21. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 20 , wherein the electric signaling device is an optical unit. 
     
     
       22. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 20 , wherein the optical unit is a luminous element. 
     
     
       23. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 22 , wherein the luminous element includes a LED. 
     
     
       24. The residual-current circuit breaker of  claim 20 , wherein the energy storage element is constructed in the form of a capacitor.